“Where have you been?” He hadn’t meant for the accusation to seep into his tone, but he couldn’t help himself. His brow was furrowed when Baikal turned toward him, and though he stood his ground, he couldn’t hide the fact he was upset either.
“You’re home early,” Baikal noted.
“I texted you.”
He frowned and checked his multi-slate. “So you did.”
“Void.”
Baikal lifted his gaze and that’s when Rabbit realized there were splashes of blood on the side of his neck.
He was across the room before he could think better of it, grabbing onto the bottom of Baikal’s face to force his head to the side so he could take a better look. “What happened? Are you hurt?”
Void went still in his hold, allowing him to maneuver him without complaint.
There was red on his forearms too.
Rabbit took one of his hands and twisted his arm in the light.
“It’s not mine,” Baikal finally answered after making him wait for it.
“Oh.” He released him like he was on fire. “You should have said so sooner.”
“And miss the worried expression on your face?” He tsked. “I don’t think so.”
“Bastard.”
“Sure,” he grinned, “but one that you’re concerned about.”
With a huff, Rabbit spun on his heels, about to leave, when Baikal latched onto his wrist and yanked him back. He slammed into his front, sucking in a breath when those strong arms wrapped around his waist and held him close.
Baikal rested his chin on Rabbit’s shoulder, and though he couldn’t see turned away, Rabbit was certain he was still smiling triumphantly. “Should we be keeping score, do you think?”
“What?” Rabbit tugged on his arms but Baikal refused to release him. He gave up and sighed. “What are you talking about now?”
“How many times you’ve given in to your feelings for me,” Baikal explained. “Should we count them?”
“Shut up. I don’t have feelings for you.” At least, not ones he was willing to discuss out loud just yet. Not when he was still so twisted up and confused about them himself. “I was worried about losing my investment, that’s all. We’ve only just agreed last night that you’d help me shake my mom. If something happened to you today, I’d have gotten my hopes up for nothing.”
Baikal hummed and pressed his lips to the side of Rabbit’s neck, laughing when he tried to shake him off. “I don’t believe you, little bunny. But feel free to keep on pretending. I don’t mind.”
“Do you have feelings for me?” Rabbit had meant it more taunting than it’d come out, but was shocked into momentary silence when Void replied breezily, as though the topic weren’t weighted or taboo in any sense.
“Of course,” he said. “I wouldn’t be going through all of this trouble if I didn’t. I was clear from the start, I’ve never been after something temporary. I never considered you a whore, as you so crassly put it before. I’ve always intended for us to end up right here, with you in my arms,” he smirked again, “worried about me.”
“Shut up.” Rabbit pulled away and this time Baikal let him go. When he turned back around, the smile on the Brumal Prince’s face made him want to run, but he held his ground despite the way his insides were twisting. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t cower from this anymore, no matter whatthisturned out to be. “What are you doing in here anyway?”
“I wanted to see it.” Just like that, Baikal’s good mood vanished. He inspected the room, a scowl setting over his handsome features. “This is where you were made to fear the dark. Where did you pass out exactly? Was it here?” He pointed to the spot they were standing in, then over to another a bit further away. “Or there?”
“What’s it matter?”
“I want to know.”
“Why?”
“I want to know everything about you.”
Rabbit stared at him. “Do you really have no idea how creepy that sounds?”
